Odiyana Buddhist Centre, Hawthorn, VIC

Odiyana was the birthplace of Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the Indian Master who established Buddhism in Tibet by taming the wild inhabitants of the Tibetan plateau and transforming them through his spiritual charisma and creativity. In the 8th century he founded the Ancient Order (Nyingma) of Tibetan Buddhism. In this age of technology his teachings are more essential than ever. The present Dalai Lama himself has actually stated the importance of Padmasambhava in this day and age.

Odiyana was founded in 2001 by David Christensen, (Lama Urgyen Yeshe Ozer) an Australian Lama of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. David completed his traditional training in a 4 year retreat in Dordogne France during the 1980s under the guidance of his main teachers, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khenpo and Tulku Pema Wangyal. He has spent over 30 years studying and practicing Buddhism in Australia, Nepal, France and the USA under some of the most influencial Tibetan teachers of this century. David is also fluent in Tibetan and is highly regarded for his work in translating Dzogchen texts.
As the founder of the Odiyana Centre, David provides a site for individuals to rediscover their own wisdom and health (the word health comes from holiness and wholeness) inspired by the wisdom energy of these ancient teachings. There are three main ways for us to discover balance and freedom : through our physical body, our voice-breath, and directly through our mind. David teaches a wide range of Buddhist courses with an emphasis on Tibetan Healing, Tibetan Yoga and the wisdom of the Dzogchen Teachings. Lama David is also available for spiritual counselling, healing sessions and for house blessings. The Odiyana Centre, Melbourne, is affiliated with the Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling Monastery in Nepal. The Monastery was founded by the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and is presently under the direction of his grandson, the current abbot Rabjam Rinpoche.